What do podiatrists do?
Podiatrists are healthcare professionals who diagnose and manage foot and ankle problems. Also known as podiatric physicians, they train to provide essential services that support an individual's ability to lead a healthy life, work, and play. Starting as a general practice, the role of a podiatrist has transformed into a specialist trained to diagnose and manage disorders related to the feet.
As experts in the human foot and its associated structures, podiatrists can treat common conditions such as warts, blisters, ingrown nails, calluses, corns, and sprains. The experts also conduct surgical procedures when necessary. Additionally, a podiatrist may wear different hats at different times. Some podiatrists specialize in diagnosing patients with potential foot issues, some in surgery and surgical repair of the foot, and others focus on medical treatment for patients with certain conditions involving the feet.
Are podiatrists medical doctors?
While the same word is for all doctors, the term 'podiatrist' is specific to those licensed to treat the foot. A podiatrist is a licensed healthcare practitioner who specializes in foot health. In the US, any doctor who treats the foot is a podiatrist. In other countries, the term foot doctor describes a podiatrist.
Podiatrists are licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and are American Podiatric Medical Association members.
What kind of training do podiatrists have to undergo?
A podiatrist receives training in the medical and surgical aspects of the foot. A typical education includes a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and a doctor of medicine degree. During undergraduate studies, students take courses in biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, mathematics, and other related subjects.
Upon graduation, they apply to one of the 14 accredited podiatric medical schools in the US. Full-time students can complete the 3-year curriculum in as little as two years and spend the final year rotating through various departments and hospitals. They study anatomy, therapeutic modalities, foot and ankle surgery, pathology, and general medicine during the course.
After graduation, graduates must complete a one-year podiatric medical residency and pass a national board examination to become licensed podiatrists.
Subspecialties within podiatry
While most podiatrists are involved in general practice, some may choose to undergo further training and specialize in any of the following subspecialty areas:
- Orthopedics: Focuses on using prosthetics, footwear, and orthotics to treat foot abnormalities.
- Diagnostic radiology: Focuses on ankle and foot radiology
- Diabetes: Deals with foot disorders affecting diabetic patients
- Dermatology: Deals with skin diseases affecting the lower limbs
- Gerontology: Focuses on foot conditions affecting older adults
- Rheumatology: Deals with the treatment of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis
- Forensic podiatry: The study of shoe prints and footprints for legal purposes
- Vascular specialist: Deals with circulation disorders in the lower limb area
- Pediatrics: Focuses on pediatric or child podiatry
- Reconstructive ankle and foot surgery: Focuses on podiatric surgery consulting
- Oncology: Deals with skin cancers affecting the lower limb area
- Sports medicine: The study of sports-related lower limb injuries
- Neurological foot conditions: Deals with a nerve disorder in the lower limb area
What do podiatrists treat?
As a foot and ankle specialist, a podiatrist can treat several conditions, including ingrown toenails, heel spurs, heel pain, hammertoes, corns and calluses, infections, and diabetes-related foot complications. They can also evaluate your feet to see if you have a flat foot or high arch and advise you on the proper shoe type for your foot type.
- Ingrown toenails: Podiatrists treat ingrown toenails by cutting away the infected tissue and the part of the toenail that grows into the skin.
- Heel pain: Pain from the heel may indicate a heel spur, in which calcium deposits build up on the back of the heel.
- Hammertoes: A podiatrist can surgically correct this second and third toe deformity.
- Corns and calluses: Corn is a small, hardened area of skin that usually appears on the top of the toes. A callus is a pad of hard, thick skin that develops on the bottom part of the foot.
- Infections: A podiatrist can treat bacterial infection by removing the infected tissue and prescribing antibiotics.
When do you need to see the best podiatrist near you?
The signs to look out for include pain, redness, swelling, excessive warmth, and difficulty walking. You should speak with a podiatrist if you have diabetes, are pregnant, have neuropathy, or have another condition that prevents you from feeling pain.
- Diabetes: While it is possible to walk for miles with diabetes, some people are more at risk of foot problems than others. If you have an average or high risk (based on your A1C level), see a podiatrist at least once a year.
- Pregnancy: One's body goes through many changes during pregnancy, including changes in the feet and legs.
- Neuropathy: This condition can make it difficult to tell if your foot is injured.
How does diabetes affect feet?
Diabetes is one of the most common foot conditions and can increase the likelihood of foot problems. Once diagnosed, you may need to take special care of your feet and follow a regular foot care routine. A podiatrist can help you understand your foot health during pregnancy. After you give birth, you may need to change your foot care routine. Some changes are necessary, while others are optional.
- Ulcers: A diabetic foot ulcer can be dangerous if untreated.
- Infection: Diabetic foot infections can become life-threatening if you don't use antibiotics.
- Amputation: Some people with diabetes may need amputation of their feet.
How do you prepare to see a podiatrist?
The podiatrist must see a list of symptoms, medications, and past surgeries. So carry all your reports and medical records. If your insurance provider requires a referral to a podiatrist, get that done.
The podiatrists will record your medical history and check the range of motion in your feet to understand your problem. They may also refer you to an orthopedic surgeon.
What can you expect at your first podiatry appointment?
Seeing a new specialist can be overwhelming, especially if you are still determining what will happen during the consultation. While every podiatrist has their way of conducting appointments, here is an overview of what you can expect at your visit.
Visit reason and symptoms: The podiatrist will begin by enquiring about your visit reason and then ask various questions to understand your situation better. They may ask:
- When did you first notice your symptoms?
- Have your symptoms worsened since then?
- How is your situation affecting your everyday life?
- Did you try any medications or home remedies to treat your condition?
Personal and family medical history: The specialist will review your medical records to understand if any medical conditions, medications, or past surgeries may contribute to your foot problems. A few podiatry issues can be genetic, so the podiatrist may also ask about your family medical history. You can also expect questions about your shoes, foot hygiene, and lifestyle.
Physical examination: Next, the podiatrist will visually examine the affected areas of your feet, ankle, and lower legs. The check will also happen for whether any other foot problems are present apart from the ones you mentioned. Depending on the condition, the specialist may ask you to stand or walk to assess your gait and structure.
Diagnostic tests: If they want to investigate the issue further, they may order lab tests or imaging scans such as X-rays, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or bone scans.
Treatment plan: Finally, the specialist will discuss the results with you and prepare a relevant treatment plan. Besides medications and topical applications, the podiatrist may suggest appropriate lifestyle and diet changes to prevent further damage.
Follow-up care: The podiatrist may ask you to visit for follow-up appointments to monitor if the prescribed care plan is showing results. If not, the medications or suggested surgical treatments can be adjusted.
How do you keep your feet healthy?
Maintaining healthy feet and personal hygiene can prevent most foot problems and diseases. Your feet do the most work for your body. An average individual takes about 5000 steps per day or walks 2.5 miles daily. Your feet must bear your body weight and maintain balance at every step. More care and attention can keep your feet healthy and enable them to perform demanding bodily functions for extended periods. Essential foot care tips for optimum foot hygiene include the following:
- Thoroughly wash your feet every day with warm water. However, do not soak your feet in the water as it may dry out the skin.
- Check your feet daily for sores, swelling, infected toenails, and cuts.
- Moisturize your feet daily with petroleum jelly, cream, or lotion. Do not apply moisturizer between the toes since this area needs to be dry to avoid an infection.
- Wear well-fitted, fully-covered, comfortable shoes. Avoid footwear that hurts your feet.
- Avoid wearing flats and flip-flops as they do not offer proper arch support.
- Cut or trim your toenails and smoothen the corners so they don't push through your skin and cause an infection.
- Wear dry and clean socks daily to avoid smelly feet and fungus infections.
How do you find the best podiatrists near you in Houston?
Diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, poor circulation, arthritis, and a history of heart disease put patients at risk for foot complications. These patients need frequent visits to a podiatrist. Now, you can book an appointment with a podiatrist in Houston, Texas, from the comfort of your home using the Zocdoc website.
Check out Zocdoc's meticulously researched database for more information. On the website, you can also determine if your chosen provider accepts your insurance plan by selecting from the drop-down menu. You can book online and in-person appointments on Zocdoc on the same day, up to 24 hours in advance, or even after 5 pm, depending on the podiatrist's availability.
If you enter your condition, where you live, insurance company, and plan, the website will immediately provide you with a list of podiatrists in your area. Moreover, you can choose a podiatrist based on their education, training, certifications, awards, and verified patient accounts, which appear on every health provider's profile.
Once you have discovered the best podiatrist near you, make your first appointment booking via Zocdoc—it is easy, free, and secure!
Diabetes statistics in Houston
Did you know that 13.5% of Houstonians have diabetes? It is way higher than the 10% national average. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 88 million adults are at risk of the disease - alarming statistics.
The individuals diagnosed with diabetes are at higher risk, where COVID-19 deaths are concerned too. The figures available as of November 2021 show that 51.9% of those who died of COVID-19 had diabetes.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Healthline
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
Houston Health Department
Verywell Health
The Podiatry Group of South Texas
Leonard Greenwald, DPM
